DE10211888A1 - Image data capture device e.g. optical scanner has microprocessor, image data capture element and user data entry device, which are provided within portable container - Google Patents

Abstract

A microprocessor (203) generates image files from the image data acquired from an image data capture element. A user data entry device (204) enables the user to modify generated image files. The image data capture element, microprocessor and data entry device are provided within a portable container. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) Optical scanner; and (2) Information annotation method.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a Image acquisition and especially on the control and over carrying image acquisition data.

It is generally wise when scanning (scanning) images worth it, raw image data into a usable image file convert mat, and ultimately such formatted Images via various electronic communications directions, including email and video transfer. Generally, scanners were of the prior art limited to a di right computer control to operate, address raw image data by scanning photographs or other images to generate, and the raw image data to a staff computer or other intelligent device transfer. In general, the personal computer that the Scanner controls the raw image data into a usable data convert format, any desired manipulation of the for perform matated image data and, if desired the formatted image data to a desired destination transfer. Such scanners of the prior art have generally no portability because they may U. only under the Control an external device, such as. B. a per sonal computers, can be operated. Also located the ability to control the manipulation of data to change the appearance of the images, the storage of image data files and the communication of image data using different mechanisms to another Storage and / or display device generally in one Control device, such as. B. a personal computer, and not in the scanner itself.  

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 525,094 describes an "e-scanner", the various features that were early were found in personal computers, in one essentially contains independent e-scanner that is able to own conversions of raw image data into usable image perform data formats and files that are converted Have image data to be transferred to a personal computer gene.

Although this e-scanner is able to be independent of external devices as scanners of the prior art to operate, image files are generally separated ten device such. B. a personal computer to perform further operations on the image file respectively. Such additional operations can be a electronic sending or transfer of the image file to a selected destination, including the image in a web page or including the image in a pho toalbum that is being developed.

Accordingly, there is a problem in the prior art in that, after an image is scanned, identification a subsequent step in processing a such an image generally using a Device must be carried out outside the Scanner is located.

Another problem with the prior art is in that between the time an image is scanned and the time at which subsequent processing of the Image using an external device occurs, regarding the user's original intent handling of the image and / or by the user desired editing of the image has been forgotten can be.  

It is the object of the present invention to provide devices conditions and procedures to create that grasped the handling Simplify image data.

This task is accomplished by an image data acquisition device tion according to claim 1, a method for commenting with Information in an image capture device according to An claim 13 or an optical scanner according to claim 19 solved.

The present invention is directed to image data capture device for processing captured image data, the device generally comprising at least one image data frame element, an image data processor for generating Image files from image data created by the capture element and a user data entry device device to allow a user to modify image files graces, embraces. Preferably one or more images are ten acquisition elements, the image data processor and the Be user data entry device in a portable container arranged.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are referred to below with reference to the enclosed Drawings explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the underside of a scanner according to a preferred Ausführungsbei game of the present invention;

Fig. 1B is a plan view of a scanner according to a before ferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the operation of a scanner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a data entry screen for display to a user of a scanner according to a before ferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the data entry screen from FIG. 3 after a data entry by a user according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows data processing equipment that is adaptable for use with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is directed to a system and a method that enables a user to enter data into a scanner or other data acquisition device to enter an intended treatment of data that be detected by the data acquisition device, in the we noticeable immediately after collecting the data to draw. By providing the user with a data collection device the ability to deliver the intended loading to designate the action of the recorded data is preferred for maintaining the user's intent handling of the recorded data at a time, which essentially coincides with the detection of such ger data is taken care of, making future treatment such captured data more accurately and effectively or can be addressed as this is the case with the Tech was not the case.

If the data acquisition device is a scanner and the captured data are image data, the inventive Device receive an input from a user what it allows the user to modify the image instruct future treatment of the image and / or a Specify storage or transfer destination of the image. If e.g. B. a photograph was scanned, the Be  User text or graphic symbols that are inserted into the image should be given (either by hand or by hand or via a keyboard), enter and a treatment of the Image, such as B. Include the image in a web page or email transmission to a designated set of Emp catch, label. The user could preferably also a preferred method of cataloging the food stored image according to an easily retained one Access word, index word or code for the next again show extraction.

In a preferred embodiment, a print could sensitive tray arranged on the scanner structure to be a user data entry for modification and Enable identification of scanned images. A Ta blett, which is coupled with a handwriting recognition system a user could e.g. B. enable a Pho tography and text to identify the photograph (eg: "John's goal in the football game against the Uptown High School "), as well as instructions for the future ge handling of data such. B. "Email Pete, Nancy and Susan "to enter by hand.

While the above explanation is coming up creating a scanned image and designating one subsequent treatment of a scanned and possibly relates to the annotated image, it will be seen that the present invention to other stored data mate as scanned images and other comment data as graphic data is applicable. Audio data samples could e.g. B. come with a voice or other types of data animals and with instructions for storage or transfer be linked to designated locations. The present Invention is similar to other data formats including Lich video data, customizable. Furthermore, scanned images also with data other than graphic and text data be mented such. B. audio data and / or video data.  

In a preferred embodiment of the present Invention includes the scanner or other data acquisition solution device a communication gate that is used for transmission through a shared local network and / or a wide area network, such as B. the Internet is customizable to a transfer of stored data directly from the images detection device to a remote node on the associated network, which enables one Need for direct attachment of the scanner or the other data acquisition device to a personal computer ter is preferred for such network communication purposes is prevented. Alternatively, the present inven omit a direct network connection, but continue hin include the ability to transmit data over a Prepare network.

Hence there is an advantage of the preferred embodiment example of the present invention in that an image file using a portable scanner device can be commented without connecting this before direction with a personal computer.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment The present invention is that captured data can be entered by a user, the instruct future handling of a captured data file connects to such a file in a way that in is essentially simultaneous with the collection of the data, which enables the user to select the desired loading action of the captured data file can be easily determined.

Another advantage of a preferred embodiment the present invention is that the above he imagined comment and data transfer capability in one ner data acquisition device are included, making it enables a comment and a data transfer imple by the data acquisition device at locations  be removed from a personal computer are arranged.

Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of the underside of a scanner 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scanner 100 is preferably a modified version of the "e-scanner" described in US Patent Serial No. 09 / 525,094. A communication port 102 preferably enables scanner 100 to communicate over both the local area networks and wide area networks, including the Internet.

In a preferred embodiment of the scan comprises ner 100, a user data entry device 101 which may be a pressure-sensitive tablet or field, lichen to enables that the user enter data in the scanner 100, in order to modify data that has been detected by the scanner 100, and to perform subsequent steps that affect the data, such as B. electronically sending a data file to selected recipients and / or saving the data file to a selected file men. Generally, the top of the scanner shown in Fig. 1B includes a surface on which an image to be scanned can be placed to acquire image data therefrom. The scanner 100 preferably comprises one or more data acquisition elements, such as. A data acquisition element 103 , for receiving image data from each object that is scanned. Data acquisition of objects that are scanned is known in the art and is therefore not discussed in detail herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive tablet 101 enables a user to input data both for inclusion in image files and / or for entering instructions to be performed with respect to such image files. Preferably, a handwriting recognition mechanism, optionally including object character recognition, is used in conjunction with the pressure sensitive tray 101 to convert handwriting to recognizable text characters for the purpose of identifying specific instructions contained in handwriting image data.

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to inputting instruction information, manual data input can be used to insert text and / or image data into image data files that were initially generated from scanned data. Such inserted data may include textual comments describing the subject of a photograph or other scanned image and / or hand-painted graphic images to be included in a scanned image. If an image e.g. B. contains a large number of identical images, arrows, circles or other graphic images can preferably be used to identify a point of particular interest in a photograph, drawing or other image, the graphic image being accompanied by text can, which relates to the graphically identified point of interest. If the scanned image is e.g. For example, if a photograph is a sports shot, an arrow can be inserted to indicate an object in the photograph that may have reduced visibility, such as B. to identify a fast moving hockey puck or soccer ball. If the initial positioning of such a graphic image, e.g. B. egg ner line, a circle or arrow, is not suitable for the object of interest in photography, the position of the object could later be adjusted using a graphics program in a personal computer or possibly in the scanner 100 itself.

In a preferred embodiment, an On show the scanned image to the user Be presented in a way to enable that of one  User entered text or graphic symbols via egg display of the scanned image. To this Way the user could use such text and graphic Images exactly at desired locations regarding objects from Interest that originally existed in the scanned image to arrange the goods. It also enables the ability such entries using a portable pre direction over the scanned image to a user preferably, such text and graphic data in the we sent simultaneously with the scanning of the picture admit, which enables the ideas of a User regarding the comment of a photograph or another scanned image can be entered if they are still fresh in the user's memory.

While the above explanation relates to the use of a pressure sensitive tablets as a user data entry device, it can be seen that other users Data entry devices could be used to both comment data and instructions for processing to provide an image data file. Alternative users data entry devices preferably comprise a Ta stature, a microphone for voice input, a computer mouse and a computer data communication port for receiving of textual data, graphic data, voice data or others Data formats, but are not limited to the same.

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the operation of the scanner 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, a scanning mechanism 201 uses an optical sensor (not shown), such as an optical sensor. B. a CCD (CCD = charge coupled device) or a CIS (CIS = contact image sensor). The scanning mechanism 201 preferably further includes means for moving an image to be scanned with respect to the optical sensor being used. Such relative movement may be moving an image to be scanned with respect to a substantially fixed optical sensor, moving an optical sensor with respect to a substantially fixed image to be scanned, or a combination of the two types include the aforementioned movement. The optical scanning equipment is preferably arranged so that the width of the optical sensor fully spans the width of the object to be scanned, or in other words, the dimension of the object or image to be scanned, perpendicular to the direction of the right latent movement between the image to be scanned and the optical sensor fully spanned.

In a preferred embodiment, image file generation 202 is accomplished using firmware and hardware to convert raw image data captured by scanning mechanism 201 into an image file usable by microprocessor 203 . After an image file is generated by image file generator 202 , the image data is preferably stored, as indicated by an image data storage block 205 , for future access by microprocessor 203 . The microprocessor 203 preferably includes its own memory and an embedded operating system for controlling the scanning mechanism 201 , interacting with the image file generating mechanism 202, and coordinating the operation of various components of the scanner 100 . Preferably, the microprocessor 203 and the image file generation mechanism 202 cooperate to enable the conversion of analog sensor data into digital data and to enable direct memory access (DMA) control to process linear data from an image sensor to move a data buffer in communication with the microprocessor 203 . The microprocessor 203 can also be used to perform scaling of the image data, e.g. B. scaling, sizing, auto-cut, compression, exposure, focus and red-eye removal.

In a preferred embodiment, user data entry device 204 is preferably used to receive data from a user, to comment on an image file and / or to provide instructions for subsequent handling of the image file. The user data entry device 204 may be a pressure sensitive tablet to allow a user to "write" to the tablet using a suitable instrument to exert pressure on such a tablet. In this manner, the user data entry device 204, in combination with a suitable user data interpretation mechanism 208 that includes handwriting recognition functionality, can be used to convert handwritten information provided by a user using a pressure sensitive tablet into either comment data 209 or instruction data 210 convert. Generally, comment data 209 is processed to be included in the image file itself, while instruction data 210 is generally converted to discrete instructions that describe subsequent processing of the image file. Technologies other than pressure sensitive pads can be used to receive handwritten user input, such as: B. a pen and a support surface, which are electromagnetically coupled, can be used.

In a preferred embodiment, comment data 209 may include text entered by a user to modify an image file. Handwritten text entered by a user may e.g. B. interpreted as ge written characters 208, converted into printed text characters, the printed text characters then inserted into an existing image file who the. User-entered comment data may also include other types of data, including, but not limited to, graphical, video, and audio data. Data entered by a user can also be converted to text and inserted as the body of the email message.

In a preferred embodiment, image data various hand-drawn images include that are intended to improve the scanned image or to mo differ, such as B. Arrows pointing to points of interest show in a scanned image and / or circles or others graphic shapes that circle points of interest or are placed next to them. Entered by a user The text and / or graphic data can be independent of entered each display of the scanned image and then by an instruction or address or a subsequent one Image manipulation rearranged on the scanned image become. Alternatively, can be entered by a user Text and / or images entered on a screen the one that data entered by a user via a To show the image file concerned so that the user can manually place comments exactly where he puts them in the picture desired. If the user escapes information the handwritten text or graphi sher symbols, the user is preferably in the Able to instruct the inventive mechanism either the style and shape of the characters entered reproduce precisely or alternatively a symbol recognition to run the program over the symbols to standardized symbols generated by a computer convert. So could be a handwritten "E" text character either for stylistic purposes in handwritten Form remain or alternatively in one from a computer generated "E" characters are converted to the character using a generally accepted print text to represent font.

In addition to including image data for comment in an image file could contain data in other formats, such as B. Audio and video data, enclosed in an image file and / or connected to the same. If e.g. Legs  Photograph could indicate a dramatic sporting event the user enters voice data associated with the event give, or music or other audio data that is suitable with associated with the event, the image file so as to to allow this audio data to either automa table when looking at the image file below a receiver can be played or at least without white teres accessible for such a recipient of the image file are Lich, such as B. by pressing a mechanical button or clicking a computer icon.

In a preferred embodiment, a user data interpretation mechanism 208 can recognize instruction data 210 in information provided by the user data entry device 204 . Microprocessor 203 preferably converts instruction data 210 into specific instructions for handling an image file, which may or may not include comment data 209 . Subsequent processing of an image file preferably continues in accordance with instructions derived from instruction data 210 entered by a user. B. Emailing the image file to a designated group of recipients, storing the image file in a designated location, and / or modifying the image file according to a set of user preferences.

In a preferred embodiment, the network interface 206 provides the scanner of the invention with connectivity to various types of external networks, the LAN (LAN = Local Area Network), WAN (WAN = Wide Area Network), including the Internet , and include, but are not limited to, wireless networks. Furthermore, the network interface 206 is, in addition to being compatible with different physical network formats, preferably able to support a number of possible communication protocols associated with different network configurations, such as e.g. B. Ethernet, BLUETOOTH, and wire or wireless interfaces, such as. B. infrared, IEEE 802.3, POTS (POTS = Plain Old Telephone Service = conventional telephone system), ISDN (ISDN = Integrated Services Digital Network = integrated digital telecommunications network), cable and / or DSL (DSL = Digital Subscriber Line = digital subscriber line). Available protocols include TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and XML (XML = eXtensible Markup Language = extensible markup language). The provision of the network interface 206 in combination with communication software and firmware 207 preferably enables the scanner 100 to transmit and receive information from and to the Internet and / or other networks, thereby enabling the scanner 100 of the invention to know about the various Communicate network types without the need to attach the scanner 100 to a personal computer or other external device.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication software and firmware 207 is implemented in the scanner 100 in order to provide the scanner according to the invention with a communication functionality which was mainly found in personal computers in the prior art. Communication software 207 preferably includes email send and receive functionality in addition to the ability to be connected to Internet service providers. Furthermore, communication software 207 preferably includes the ability, upon coupling to an appropriate network connection, to store an image file in a designated location either in a photo album or on a hard drive or other non-volatile storage device. Software 207 preferably also includes the ability to generate Internet web pages from such image files. Preferably, implementing the communication skills described above in the scanner of the invention improves the scanner's ability to provide a full service solution for a portable scanner without the need to connect to a separate and less mobile processing device such as a mobile device. B. to leave a personal computer to deliver. A memory for use in an image data storage operation 205 could e.g. B. be a non-volatile, removable memory such. B. COMPACT FLASH, Smartmedia, and / or a rotating magnetic or optical medium.

Fig. 3 illustrates a data entry screen or a - display 300 for presentation to a user of a scan ners according to a preferred embodiment of the front lying invention preferably operates the display 300 to allow handwritten movements on the part of a user recorded digitally. can be reproduced graphically on the same display 300 on which the image 301 is displayed, whereby a superimposition of markings entered by a user over the image 301 is made possible. FIG. 3 shows the state of the display 300 before a user entry, while FIG. 4 shows the state of the display after a user data entry. Technology for implementing such user mark pick-up (graphical data entry mechanism) may be pressure sensitive tablets and an electromagnetically coupled pen and surface capable of detecting the relative location of the pen relative to the surface to which it is coupled increase and record, and / or include an electronic keyboard with or without a computer mouse, short-range radio communication and capacitively coupled surfaces, but is not limited to the same.

In a preferred embodiment, a user is able to display graphic information about an image, such as an image. B. Add an image 301 using a selected graphical data entry mechanism. Advantageously, the present invention enables users to enter both graphical information for addition to an image and instructions for handling the image. Fig. 3 shows a display 300 before an entry of coming tare or instructions by a user. The display 300 preferably includes an original image 301, a designated location for entering addressed comments 302, and a designated location for entering processing instructions 303 .

Fig. 4 illustrates the display 300 after the same commentaries by a user entry of an exemplary set of instructions and Kom was modified 400th Fig. 4 includes both addressed comments 402 and exempla generic superimposed comments 404-410. FIG. 4 also illustrates processing instructions 403 entered by a user that are input to the designated location for entering processing instructions 303 .

Continuing with this example, the modified image 401 includes the content of the original image 301 ( FIG. 3) and overlaid comments 404 to 410 . In this example, the commented image is that of a car accident photograph. Thus, a selection of graphic symbols and strings belonging to elements of the accident are provided as exemplary comments.

Continuing with the example, the string "Ostrich device" 407 and an attached arrow 407 were added as overlaid comments to the image to indicate the direction of a first side of the road on which the accident occurred. Similarly, a "west direction" string 404 and an attached arrow 405 are comments placed over the original image 301 to show a second side of the road. A loop or circle 408 that completely encircles a vehicle has been added as a graphical overlay to highlight the vehicle and its location on the road. Such a loop can preferably be used to draw attention to a point of particular interest in an image, as was the case with the encircled automobile. In addition, the addition of loop 408 , string 401, and the attached arrow 409 to the original image 301 was added to further identify and highlight the automobile involved in the accident. Generally, when text is added by an overlaid comment, the actual hand-painted text images that are input by the user are included 401 in the image that is being modified. Alternatively, however, a handwriting interpretation can be used to process the user's handwriting and generate a computer-generated text that matches the handwritten strings entered by the user.

After the explanation of the comments added by overlay remains, the explanation of comments added by an instruction or address remains. In the case of a comment by an instruction or address, strings such as A string 402 may be entered in a location that is not actively displaying the image to be modified, such as B. an addressed comment entry location 302 . A comment by an instruction or address preferably includes entering a character string to be included in the image to be modified, and then displaying a preferred location in the image where the tart text can be added , Alternatively, the inventive mechanism could select an empty portion of the image as a default location for the comment text entry if no preferred location is identified.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive mechanism provides a user with the ability to enter, in addition to input data, instructions for execution by the inventive scanner or other computing entity in communication with the scanner to modify an original image. Preferably, a mechanism is provided to decrypt user text input to be treated as an instruction, or alternatively, user text input to be included as a literal string in the image. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the inventive mechanism prompts the user to enter text that is intended to represent instructions in a different location on the display 300 than text that is to be included in the image 401. As an alternative to the text / entry location dependent approach, the inventive mechanism could prompt the user to choose from a number of options regarding the intended purpose of the text entry before, during or after an entry of the text in question. If the user indicates the intended purpose of the text (for comment, instruction, or other purpose) before or after the actual entry of the text, the same display area could subsequently be used for an entry of literal strings and for information that is intended to be handled display such literal strings.

Continuing with the example, the user is preferably prompted to enter instructions in the location 303 that has been set aside for such entries. Four instructions 403 entered by the user are presented, which are top to bottom: "Save the file to Accident Picture", "Attach to Mail Notification", "Send to Dave, Larry and Pete" and "Place of the addressed comment in the middle of the picture below ". After checking the instruction information entered by a user, the scanner according to the invention preferably performs a handwriting analysis of the handwritten entries in order to convert the individual characters into machine-generated characters. The scanner according to the invention then preferably interprets the sequences of characters in order to correlate the sequence of characters entered by a user with different commands which are recognizable for the scanner. The scanner then preferably executes the instructions in the order entered, unless a different order is indicated by the user.

The above discussion focuses on one user data entry that is achieved via handwritten entries is created by the user using a print sensitive trays, an electromagnetically coupled one Pen and a writing surface or another graph phische data entry mechanism can be entered. age natively, however, other entry mechanisms could be ver different data types can be used. In particular, could a small keyboard (either with or without a computer mouse used) in communication with the inventive Scanners are used to scan alphanumeric characters Transfer scanner, including a speech recognition system stem could be used. Furthermore, a template, the buttons representing a selection of standard graphic sym boles are assigned such. B. arrows, circles and gust gen, included, can be included in such a keyboard. Such graphical symbol keys could do so to a user enable a selection of standard graphic symbols to enter a graphic generated by a computer Generate output that matches the selected graphical sym corresponds to the push buttons.

While the disclosed schema is mainly in Context of modifying images created by a Scanner received, was discussed, point out indicated that the invention contemplates other data acquisition directions is applicable, the digital cameras (both stand image cameras as well as video cameras) and analog cameras (see above) probably still cameras as well as video cameras), each but are not limited to the same. If a digi Talkamera is used, an ad could be provided  that allows a user to be handwritten Text comments, graphic comments and instructions on future handling of a captured image (such as an egg digital photograph) at any time after the Photo was taken to lay over the same. The Ver driving of receiving user data and handling as user instructions would preferably be about same way for digital still cameras and / or digi tale video cameras occur, as above in connection with egg ner scanning device has been described.

Fig. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 of the present for use with a preferred embodiment of he invention is adaptable. A central processing unit (CPU) 501 is coupled to a system bus 502 . The CPU 501 can be any general purpose CPU, such as. A Hewlett-Packard PA-8200. However, the present invention is not limited by the construction of the CPU 501 as long as the CPU 50 supports the inventive operations described herein. Bus 502 is coupled to a direct access memory (RAM) 503 , which may be an SRAM, DRAM, or SDRAM. A ROM 504 is also coupled to bus 502 and can be a PROM, EPROM or EEPROM. RAM 503 and ROM 504 hold user and system data and programs as is known in the art.

Bus 502 is also coupled to an input / output (I / O) adapter 505 , a communication adapter card 511 , a user interface adapter 508 and a display adapter 509 . The I / O adapter 505 connects storage devices 506 , such as. B. one or more of Festplat te, CD drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, with the computer system. Communication adapter 511 is adapted to couple computer system 500 to network 512 , which may be one or more of a local (LAN), wide area (WAN), Ethernet, or Internet network. The user interface adapter 508 couples user input devices, such as. B. a keyboard 513 and a pointing device 507 with the computer system 500 . The display adapter 509 is driven by the CPU 501 to control the display on the display device 510 .

Claims (21)

1. Image data acquisition device for processing captured image data, the device having the following features:
at least one image data acquisition element ( 103 );
an image data processor ( 203 ) for generating image files from image data detected by the detection element; and
a user data entry device ( 101 ) for enabling a user to modify the generated image files, the at least one image data acquisition element ( 103 ), the image data processor ( 203 ) and the user data entry device ( 101 ) being arranged in a portable container ( 100 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquisition element ( 103 ) is contained in a digital camera. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquisition element ( 103 ) is contained in a scanner. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user data entry device has the following feature:
a pressure sensitive tray ( 101 ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user data entry device ( 101 ) has the following feature:
an electromagnetically coupled pen and a writing surface. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user data entry device ( 101 ) has the following feature:
means for entering text comment data ( 209 ) into the generated image files. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user data entry device ( 101 ) has the following feature:
means for entering graphical data ( 209 ) into the generated image files. 8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:
means for entering image file processing instructions ( 210 ) into the device. 9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:
means ( 208 ) for converting handwritten user entries into machine readable data using the user data entry device. 10. The device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the user data entry device ( 101 ) enables a superimposition of a user data entry on a display of an image file of the generated image files. 11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the user data entry device ( 101 ) enables a comment of the generated image files by an address. 12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:
a communication interface for coupling the device with a network. 13. A method for commenting with information in an image capture device ( 100 ), the method comprising the following steps:
Capturing image data in the image capturing device;
Receiving data entered by a user in connection with selected acquired data of the image data;
Annotating the selected data of the captured image data with the received data input by a user; and
Performing the steps of capturing, receiving, and commenting in a portable arrangement ( 100 ). 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:
Providing a network interface ( 208 ) in the portable assembly. 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the commenting step comprises the following steps:
Displaying a first image file of selected captured image data;
Overlaying the data entered by a user over the displayed first image file; and
Providing a continuously updated display of the first image file as modified by the data entered by a user. 16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising the step of:
electronically sending the commented selected data of the at least one image file to at least one recipient, the recipient being specified in the commenting step. 17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising the step of:
Save the commented selected data of the image data. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of storing comprises the step of:
Transmission of the commented selected data of the image data over a public network to a node on the public network. 19. Optical scanner with the following features:
means ( 201 ) for acquiring image data;
means for displaying selected image data;
means ( 204 ) for receiving data entered by a user in connection with the selected image data;
means ( 101 ) for superimposing the received data entered by a user over the displayed selected image data; and
means ( 101 ) for commenting on the displayed selected image data with the overlaid, received, data entered by a user. 20. An optical scanner according to claim 19, further comprising:
a communication interface to enable the optical scanner to communicate under at least partial control of the commenting device ( 101 ) via a data communication network. 21. Optical scanner according to claim 19 or 20, in which the device ( 204 ) for receiving has the following feature:
means for receiving handwritten graphical data.